Saturday’s sale in Aurivo Balla Mart in Co Mayo recorded another positive entry, which was matched by a packed ringside of buyers.

Competition for factory-fit cows was particularly high, with agents clashing on a number of occasions for large-framed heavy cows, the highlight of which was €1,700 paid for an 815kg cow.

The general run of top-quality cows weighing over 700kg sold from €1.80/kg to €1.95/kg.

This top-quality slaughter-fit Charolais cow weighing 735kg sold for €1,375 (€1.87/kg).

Large-framed feeding cows weighing over 650kg sold from €1.70/kg to €1.75/kg.

Slaughter-fit continental cows less than 650kg sold from €1.60/kg to €1.85/kg, with quality having a big impact on price.

Friesian cows sold from €1.35/kg to €1.50/kg. Feeding cows weighing 550kg to 600kg sold in general from €1.40/kg to €1.60/kg, with small numbers of dairy cows selling back to €1.30/kg.

Bullocks

The trade for good-quality continental bullocks is holding firm. There were some great quality year-and-a -alf Charolais and Limousin bullocks on offer, with good weight for age.

A run of bullocks weighing 500kg to 550kg sold from €1,280 to €1,350, with the best-quality lots hitting €1,380.

This top-quality Charolais cross bullock weighed 500kg, was born 18/3/16, and sold for €1,300 (€2.60/kg).

Cattle of a similar weight but aged four to six months older were a similar trade. Plainer-quality lots sold from €2.00/kg to €2.20/kg for dairy crossbreds.

Bullocks weighing 300kg to 350kg sold anywhere from €2.80/kg to over €3.00/kg for nice continental types, with lesser quality O-grade and R-grade types selling back to €2.50/kg to €2.60/kg.

Demand for heifers

Demand for heifers has been brisk in recent weeks, with a noticeable trends of strong demand for any heifers on offer suitable for breeding.

Quality was the primary driver in price but, where heifers combined quality and stars, there were a few extra hands bidding.

This top-quality 590kg Limousin heifer with a roan coat was born 14/06/15. She attracted strong attention from specialist in-calf heifer producers and sold for €1,510 (€2.56/kg).

The best quality heifers weighing 450kg upwards sold from €2.40/kg to €2.60/kg, with a few exceptional lots hitting €2.70/kg to €2.80/kg.

Lighter heifers sold from €2.60/kg to €2.80/kg for good-quality continental types, with €3/kg hit for the best-quality lots in the 300kg to 350kg weight category.

Plainer-quality heavy heifers sold from €2.20/kg to €2.35/kg with low numbers of slaughter-fit cattle on offer.

See the photo carousel above for more pictures of the different types of cattle on offer and typical prices.